Marijuana is a more than common reggae theme and has been so for decades. On almost any reggae album one can hear about its spiritual powers, a plea for its legislation or one of its many suggested benefits for health – “it’s good for the flu, a good for asthma, good for tuberculosis, even umara composis” as Peter Tosh once sang.

All these themes are covered on Irie Ites‘ new compilation Ganja Anthems, a 16 track set where no less than 17 artists sing praises about weed and why it should be legalized. A majority of the cuts have been previously released, including scorchers like Chezidek’s masterpiece Bun Di Ganja, Lorenzo & Chezidek’s Please Mr. Officer, which transforms into a tasty dub version, and The Tamlins’ smooth Irie Collie.

But it also comes with three unreleased killers. Russ D has remixed Specular’s More Herb with great effect and Peetah Morgan is as soulful as ever on Healing of the Nation, a cut composed by Roots Radics. Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal relicks a Studio One piece on Weedman Look Out and at the same time borrows from Rita Marley’s monumental One Draw.